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LPD investigates Dollar Tree, Citgo robberies

The Lexington Police Department is investigating an armed robbery Wednesday morning at the Dollar Tree in the Lexington Plaza off of Cotton Grove Road Four businesses in the county have been robbed since Sunday,.

Published: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 11:22 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 5:27 p.m.

Two armed robberies of businesses, one occurring Wednesday morning and the other Tuesday night, are being investigated by the Lexington Police Department.

The two armed robberies mean four businesses in Davidson County, three in Lexington and one in Thomasville, have been targeted since Sunday. Three of the robberies are linked to the same suspect, according to the LPD.

Maj. Mark Sink of the LPD confirmed an armed robbery was reported at the Dollar Tree in the Lexington Plaza shopping center off of Cotton Grove Road at Interstate 85 at 9:49 a.m. Wednesday. Less than 12 hours prior to the Dollar Tree robbery, another armed robbery was reported at the Citgo on Winston Road.

The Lexington Police Department has reviewed surveillance video from the Dollar Tree and has tied the suspect to Sunday's armed robbery of the Rite Aid on U.S. Highway 64 West and Monday's armed robbery of Ingles on Randolph Street in Thomasville, Sink confirmed. Before Wednesday morning's robbery, the Thomasville and Lexington police departments believe the robberies of Ingles and Rite Aid may involve the same suspect.

Sink said the suspect entered Dollar Tree and demanded money. Employees complied, and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken before he fled on foot, the major said. The LPD was on the scene Wednesday morning as officers interviewed witnesses, and crime scene personnel processed the scene.

"We have officers actually out on the perimeter right now, and we have a K-9 attempting to track," Sink said Wednesday morning. No injuries occurred in the incident, he said.

Sink said he was in contact with the Thomasville Police Department to increase their patrols.

"It's not a common thing," Sink said of the armed robberies. "We are taking it very seriously. We are allocating resources to try to prevent what we can."

Sink said the LPD is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspect. He said the department is placing fliers in the city's retail establishments in hopes the businesses will be aware of the suspect and his description.

Police say the suspect is believed to have robbed Ingles, Rite-Aid and now Dollar Tree and is armed and dangerous. Sink says anyone who comes in contact with him should not approach and immediately call 911. He urges residents to get a good description of the suspect and any type of vehicle he may be traveling in. Sink said witnesses in the three robberies are describing the suspect as leaving on foot. He said police do not have a vehicle description at this point.

The Citgo at 1009 Winston Road was robbed about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday.

LPD Capt. Robby Rummage said a man entered the store with a handgun and demanded the money. He jumped the counter and took an undisclosed amount of cash out of the register. Rummage said he believes the suspect also took cigarettes as well.

Rummage said the Citgo suspect is clearly not the same person as the Rite Aid robber.

Rummage said the Citgo suspect told the clerk to lie on the ground. No injuries were reported.

Concerning the Citgo robbery, the captain said the Davidson County Sheriff's Office assisted with a K-9 track, and officers canvassed the area for any witnesses or suspects.

Rummage asks businesses that see anyone suspicious to go ahead and call the LPD. He also encourages anyone with information regarding the robberies to call the LPD at 243-3302 or Lexington Area Crimestoppers at 243-2400.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick.

<p>Two armed robberies of businesses, one occurring Wednesday morning and the other Tuesday night, are being investigated by the Lexington Police Department. </p><p>The two armed robberies mean four businesses in Davidson County, three in Lexington and one in Thomasville, have been targeted since Sunday. Three of the robberies are linked to the same suspect, according to the LPD.</p><p>Maj. Mark Sink of the LPD confirmed an armed robbery was reported at the Dollar Tree in the Lexington Plaza shopping center off of Cotton Grove Road at Interstate 85 at 9:49 a.m. Wednesday. Less than 12 hours prior to the Dollar Tree robbery, another armed robbery was reported at the Citgo on Winston Road.</p><p>The Lexington Police Department has reviewed surveillance video from the Dollar Tree and has tied the suspect to Sunday's armed robbery of the Rite Aid on U.S. Highway 64 West and Monday's armed robbery of Ingles on Randolph Street in Thomasville, Sink confirmed. Before Wednesday morning's robbery, the Thomasville and Lexington police departments believe the robberies of Ingles and Rite Aid may involve the same suspect.</p><p>Sink said the suspect entered Dollar Tree and demanded money. Employees complied, and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken before he fled on foot, the major said. The LPD was on the scene Wednesday morning as officers interviewed witnesses, and crime scene personnel processed the scene.</p><p>"We have officers actually out on the perimeter right now, and we have a K-9 attempting to track," Sink said Wednesday morning. No injuries occurred in the incident, he said.</p><p>Sink said he was in contact with the Thomasville Police Department to increase their patrols.</p><p>"It's not a common thing," Sink said of the armed robberies. "We are taking it very seriously. We are allocating resources to try to prevent what we can."</p><p>Sink said the LPD is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspect. He said the department is placing fliers in the city's retail establishments in hopes the businesses will be aware of the suspect and his description.</p><p>Police say the suspect is believed to have robbed Ingles, Rite-Aid and now Dollar Tree and is armed and dangerous. Sink says anyone who comes in contact with him should not approach and immediately call 911. He urges residents to get a good description of the suspect and any type of vehicle he may be traveling in. Sink said witnesses in the three robberies are describing the suspect as leaving on foot. He said police do not have a vehicle description at this point.</p><p>The Citgo at 1009 Winston Road was robbed about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday.</p><p>LPD Capt. Robby Rummage said a man entered the store with a handgun and demanded the money. He jumped the counter and took an undisclosed amount of cash out of the register. Rummage said he believes the suspect also took cigarettes as well.</p><p>Rummage said the Citgo suspect is clearly not the same person as the Rite Aid robber.</p><p>Rummage said the Citgo suspect told the clerk to lie on the ground. No injuries were reported.</p><p>Concerning the Citgo robbery, the captain said the Davidson County Sheriff's Office assisted with a K-9 track, and officers canvassed the area for any witnesses or suspects.</p><p>Rummage asks businesses that see anyone suspicious to go ahead and call the LPD. He also encourages anyone with information regarding the robberies to call the LPD at 243-3302 or Lexington Area Crimestoppers at 243-2400.</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick.</p>